Don't Ruin Your Reputation Over Something Stupid

I was reading in Romans 14 this morning, which, of course, is one of the most controversial chapters in the whole Bible. And yet in the midst of the controversy we find an oft-neglected verse with such a simple meaning: "Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil" (vs. 16).

In this chapter, Paul is dealing with issues of liberty, where no sin is committed one way or the other. These are matters of opinion that are not to be bound on one another. For example, it is neither right nor wrong to eat meat. However, if someone is not comfortable eating meat for conscience reasons, we are not to cause trouble over it. If a brother doesn't feel comfortable working on Saturday because he grew up in a Jewish home observing the Sabbath, so what?

Really, in all of this, the apostle is promoting unity among disciples. There are times when we need to stand up and be insistant (Ac. 15:1-2; Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 5), but there are a lot of issues that are not worth fighting over. Just let it go.

The problem is that there are a lot of good, faithful Christians out there who don't know how to let it go. They are critical of a brother with whom they disagree, and even though no sin is being committed, and even though the law of Christ is not being violated, that brother is mistreated and abused and slandered and treated as an inferior Christian. In the process, the brother who is doing the criticizing stoops to a lower-than-low level.

It's not worth it. Not only are we creating division within the church and hurting innocent brethren, our reputation is tarnished. In the eyes of others, we become harsh, judgmental, intolerant, and divisive.

Sure, we may have differences of opinion when it comes to all kinds of issues, but we need to learn to choose our battles carefully. When the law of Christ is at stake, by all means, discuss it, debate it, and be adamant about the truth...don't back down! But if it's a matter of opinion...sure, the opposing brother may be wrong, they may be weak...and talk with them if they're willing, but by all means "do not let your good be spoken of as evil."